And here we are again: another Sunday morning, another blog post about my Mumme Poll ballot.
A lot of movement this week. Also, now that I have a computer poll, I can have my first controversy: the computer and the human voter disagree! I've attached week 9 numbers for my computer poll below, so you can see the disagreements. Basically, I bounced Iowa and Alabama from the Top 5 in favor of moving up TCU and Boise State. I thought about having Oregon in the Top 5, but couldn't really figure out why they should be so ranked, esp. above Boise State (other than swatting USC like the annoying flies they are!). I also moved Alabama out of the Top 5 b/c, despite not playing this week, a lot of their competition put up some serious offensive numbers and I feel that this is going to be increasingly important down the stretch (esp. now that Florida's offense remembered how to complete passes to Florida receivers instead of defensive backs). Iowa got moved out of the Top 5, b/c I'm becoming convinced that my computer (& the BCS computers) loves them b/c they are already 9-0, while most teams are only 8-0. My ranking algorithm rewards teams w/ more games played. Also, if you only watched the first three quarters against Indiana, you would probably think about bouncing them, too. B/c as it is obvious they are going to win the Big Ten, the question becomes: "can Iowa beat Oregon in a Rose Bowl?" I think the answer, after Oregon's day against SC, is clearly "no."
I feel TCU & Boise State, despite getting the nod over two "real" conference teams, have good shots down the stretch, esp. TCU. Given the way TCU plays defense and given how their offense clicks, I see them having a bright future. One of the problems w/ Boise State is always a question of evaluation: while they are clearly really, really good, they might lose against Idaho or Nevada before the season is out, mostly b/c of how ferocious those teams are on offense. This situation is one that always gives me a headache. Oh well, I imagine Boise will win out & it won't be a problem.
Also, I'd like to think this poll represents a bit of a "mea culpa" re Texas. After watching them suck it up for a half against Wyoming, I've been unconvinced of their ability to win games. That said, wow, they really took it to Oklahoma State. While I still don't think Texas is a legitimate national title contender, having not played any particularly good teams in the dysfunctional Big 12, who is championship material this season (other than TCU, of course)? Personally, I blame the swine flu for lack of dominance at the top.
At the bottom of my ballot, I moved Penn State ahead of LSU for two reasons: 1) b/c I go to PSU 2) Seriously, LSU kind of sucks this year. While I think they have a good shot against Alabama next week, I just think their offense has been shaky. So, more computer controversy! Oh well.
Here's my ballot, followed by my computer's rankings:
Top 5
- Texas
- Florida
- Boise State
- TCU
- Cincinnati
Other 7
- Alabama
- Oregon
- Iowa
- Pittsburgh
- Georgia Tech
- Houston
- Penn State
Computer Poll
- Iowa 9-0 (598.148760330579)
- Alabama 8-0 (551.380681818182)
- Texas 8-0 (508.221590909091)
- Florida 8-0 (480.534090909091)
- Cincinnati 8-0 (457.113636363636)
- Texas Christian 8-0 (440.590909090909)
- Georgia Tech 8-1 (418.06734006734)
- Boise State 8-0 (406.346590909091)
- Pittsburgh 7-1 (390.409090909091)
- Houston 7-1 (366.725426136364)
- Oregon 7-1 (357.65625)
- Louisiana State 7-1 (316.227982954545)
- Penn State 8-1 (304.161616161616)
- Utah 7-1 (290.614346590909)
- Southern California 6-2 (288.602556818182)
- Troy 6-2 (279.600852272727)
- Miami (Florida) 6-2 (272.889204545455)
- Temple 6-2 (260.723011363636)
- Idaho 7-2 (258.677318640955)
- Ohio State 7-2 (249.308417508417)
- Notre Dame 6-2 (246.609375)
- Wisconsin 6-2 (246.366477272727)
- Auburn 6-3 (220.068686868687)
- West Virginia 6-2 (216.438920454545)
- Brigham Young 6-2 (215.959943181818)